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6 Tips for Finding an Energy Efficient Home
Dec 01, 2017

When looking for a new home, there are many things to think about. Size and price are not the only factors to consider.  The location, schools in the area, local crime record, and surrounding neighbors are also important factors.

One thing that is becoming more common to consider is how energy efficient a home is. Here are some tips and tricks to find an energy-efficient home.

  1. Insulation is important. You can request to have the insulation checked as part of your new home inspection. R-Value measures how well your insulation resists heat flow.  While the desired R-Value may change depending on where you live, it is easy to find it out in different areas.
  2. Look for any air leaks inside and around the house. Air leaks will make your HVAC system work harder and drive up your energy costs!
  3. Check to see if the appliances are all energy efficient and have Energy Star labels. If they do not, consider investing in one new appliance every 6 months - year, and watch your electricity bills drop dramatically.
  4. Find a south-facing house. It will get more sunlight and you will not have to rely on indoor lighting during the day. In the winter months, the home will also heat faster and easier, allowing you to turn off heaters to save energy.
  5. Make sure the house is not too big. The bigger the house, the harder to heat and cool. Sometimes extra space is detrimental, so try picking a reasonably sized house. 
  6. Look to see if the house has solar panels. You will save a lot of money by utilizing solar energy. If not, you might want to consider adding them after the house is purchased.

There are many ways for a house to become more energy efficient. With these tips, hopefully you will be able to find the perfect home that will not only shrink your carbon footprint.

Source: https://energy.gov/energysaver/insulation  

 

Ashley Leach

Ashley Leach is a freelance writer and digital content marketer with a background in journalism, digital reporting, and marketing for numerous industries. She's found her perfect fit at North American Power in writing about home maintenance and repairs, energy efficiency, and smart home technology.